The Stansted Airport Transit System was opened in 1991. It was constructed as a result of the decision by the British Airports Authority to redevelop the airport with an arrangement of satellite buildings detached from the main terminal. The BAA considered several options for conveying passengers safely and rapidly to the airport gates, including moving walkways, tunnels, bridges and bus links, before opting for an automated tracked transit system. After opening in 1991 the system was extended in 1998 with an additional two underground stations, to serve a second and a third satellite building.
Route
Guideway
The Stansted Airport TTS vehicles run along a double-track guideway totalling in length which connects the main terminal building with three satellite buildings. The route begins on an elevated section alongside the departure lounge, before entering a tunnel which passes beneath the airport apron. There is a maintenance depot at one end.
Stations
The Transit System has three stations: Terminal, Gates 1–19 and Gates 20–39. Satellite 3 is not served by the Transit System; instead a pedestrian footway links the gates with the main terminal. Each station has segregated boarding and alighting platforms, allowing a more efficient passenger flow. All boarding points are equipped with platform screen doors. In the main terminal, arriving passengers have landside access to Stansted Express rail services to London and elsewhere from Stansted Airport railway station.
Vehicles
There were originally five Adtranz C-100 cars built by Westinghouse for the system. This was increased to nine when four new Adtranz CX-100 cars were delivered during the 1998 expansion. During normal operation, eight out of the nine cars will be in service to maintain a 99.98% availability record. The cars can operate as single units or can be coupled to form two or three car trains. The trains are fully automated and driverless.
Future developments
In 2016, Stansted Airport's parent company, Manchester Airport Group, awarded a £2.1m contract to replace the Automatic Train Operation central control system of the Stansted Airport Transit System to Firstco. Construction of a fourth satellite terminal has been proposed for Stansted Airport. Although expansion plans are not currently certain, it is thought that a fourth satellite building will be served by a TTS station, requiring an extension of the Transit System.
